Abstract: A derivative of coniferous tree barks is produced by reacting at elevated temperatures an alkaline polyphenolic solution of a coniferous bark extract in the proportion of from 0.1, and preferably from 0.5 to 8.0 moles of a carbonyl-activated halocompound per mole of monomeric unit in the polyphenol of the formula ##STR1## or with a cyano-activated halocompound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R' is H, HC.dbd.O or R--C .dbd.O where R is alkyl or aryl; X is halogen and R" is alkyl, OH, oxyalkyl, aryl or OM in which M is a metal. The starting materials are the alkaline extracts resulting from the digestion of coniferous tree barks with an alkaline aqueous solution or preferably the sulfonated acid extracts of such barks. The reaction products are etherified polyphenolic compounds which are water-soluble and possess chelating characteristics.

Abstract: A line circuit for providing line control between a central office or PBX line and the key telephone station subscriber instruments. The line circuit responds to ring currents to activate suitable signalling at stations having access to the called line. The circuit responds to a station going off-hook following ringing to provide the well-known responses. Call holding is also controlled by the line circuit. Within the circuit, the ring response is activated by a capacitor, the same capacitor being used to time out and terminate ring on a failure to respond and also to time the release of the circuit from the central office line.

Abstract: Regenerated cellulosic fibers of improved resistance to alkaline treatment are produced by nitrosating and dissolving from 5 to 14% by weight of a cellulosic material in a dialkylacylamide solvent while said solution is maintained at a temperature no greater than 20.degree. C to form a cellulose nitrite ester, and regenerating the cellulose by contacting the cellulose ester with a regenerant. Regeneration of the cellulose occurs before significant oxidation of the cellulose takes place.

Abstract: A telephone-type ringer assembly with an improved volume control operable from the exterior of the closed housing in which the ringer is contained. The volume control comprises an eccentric control wheel for one gong to settably vary the distance from the striker to one gong. The setting of the gong is controlled by a detent pivoting the control wheel with the detent position being controlled by a rod having an eccentric connection to a setting control on the housing exterior or directly through a suitable slot in the base which does not require the rod and attached lever.The ringer is designed to be mounted to the base directly on bosses molded onto the ringer frame. This mounting alternatively allows a detent spring extension to project through the bottom of the base for direct control, eliminating the need for a linkage.

Abstract: Conference circuit which uses a read/write memory divided into groups of memory lines, with each group corresponding to a conference. Each line is assigned to store data from a single subscriber and to store the code words coming from that subscriber. The memory stores non-linear subscribers' codes. The codes are expanded and the codes of other subscribers in the same conference are added and compressed for transmission and decoding at any other exchange of other conference members. The conference circuit may be inserted in one position of a group of junction circuits or may be placed in a subscriber line concentrator.

Abstract: Diallyl esters of dicarboxylic acids are provided corresponding to the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an organic radical containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms and is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals, cycloalkyl radicals, mixed alkyl-cycloalkyl radicals and aralkyl radicals; R' and R" are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl and aryl radicals and mixtures thereof; and the total carbon atoms in R, R' and R" is from 10 to 34. These diallyl esters are crosslinking coreactants for polymeric compositions and especially high temperature processing fluorocarbon polymers. The crosslinked compositions are particularly useful for insulation coatings.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for sharing the work load of incoming calls between two computers. The system employs memories recording the total number of calls to be processed and the number to be processed by a particular one of the two computers in a given time period. The first calls received are sent to the one computer. When the number of calls actually processed by the one computer has been received the following calls are sent to the second computer to be processed. When the total number to be processed is actually reached, the system is reset to its initial state and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A switching network is disclosed which employs a simplified distributing frame to interconnect line selection units and group selection units. An intergroup trunking formula using multibit designations for each terminal is employed as a guide in forming the distributing frame. The system permits intermediate access to the network at the link-terminals by way of loop circuits coupled to the distributing frame. The use of distributing frame according to the invention enables the use of plug-in modular wiring.

Abstract: A toll restrictor is disclosed for use with a time division multiplex telephone switching system. The restrictor disclosed may serve an entire exchange, the restrictor having digit storage capability for each time slot used. The restrictor is capable of refusing or accepting a first digit and as many as six additional digits in the form of codes. Decisions by the restrictor are made on the basis of conditions programmed within the restrictor apparatus. Calls are completed or not depending on the decisions of the restrictor.

Abstract: A regenerated cellulosic product is produced by nitrosating and dissolving a cellulosic material in a solution comprising a dialkylacylamide solvent and adding from 2 to 25% by weight, based on the weight of the solution, of a tertiary amine to form a soluble cellulose nitrite ester, contacting the cellulose ester with a coagulant therefore, stretching the coagulated cellulose ester prior to complete regeneration thereof and then completing the regeneration of the cellulose to produce a regenerated cellulosic product.

Abstract: A controlled release particulate fertilizer composition containing nitrogen in a form which is slowly released and a water soluble solid additive, such as a phosphorus or potassium nutrient salt, in a form which is quickly released comprising a core of a water soluble nitrogen nutrient source, a coating of sulfur surrounding the core, and a coating surrounding the sulfur coating of an inert water-insoluble material such as wax. The inert coating comprises an inner portion of the inert coating alone and an outer portion containing the salt or other water soluble additive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wholly electronic system for either testing or changing the state of a bi-stable circuit element such as a crosspoint of a switching matrix under the control of a central processor (CPU). A maximum of 256 groups of 128 points may either have the condition changed (driven) or the condition read (scan) by the apparatus shown under the control of a processor such as a 16-bit CPU. Interfacing between the CPU and the switching matrix is a bi-directional multiplex gating and decoding tree network having at its outer extremities the points. Each point is represented by an address comprised of bits representing word, basket, group and level. By addressing a point and then providing a control indication as to whether the condition of a point is to be read or whether the condition of a point or group of points is to be changed, the points can be readily scanned or driven according to instructions received from the CPU through a logic unit or controller.

Abstract: Disclosed is an outdoor luminaire employing as its external lens, panels of one-way reflecting glass. During the day, or with the interior lamp unlit, the panels provide an opaque outer surface reflective of the surroundings. With the lamp lit, the panels act merely as lenses passing the light emitted by the interior lamp. In order to make the luminaire opaque, diagonal baffles are provided to extend from each corner of the luminaire toward the lamp and lamp prismatic refractor. These baffles tend to produce four separate compartments with opaque interior walls to prevent the lamp and internal components from being visible when the lamp is unlit. By making the baffles reflective, a further enhancement of the internal masking is effected while further enhancing the optical characteristics of the luminaire when lit.

Abstract: A short circuit detector is provided for a compact power supply system in which a plurality of power supplies may be operated in parallel. The detector senses when a voltage drop in a bus indicates a possible short and then energizes solid state devices to turn the system off for a prescribed period of time. After the prescribed period of time has passed, the system will attempt to restart. If the ground has been cleared, system operation will be restored. If not, the system will again be shut down for the prescribed period.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions contain as an antioxidant therefor a mercaptoquinazolone of the formula ##STR1## in which R is allyl or methallyl. The antioxidant forms a covalent bond with the polymer upon crosslinking of the latter and thereby antioxidant loss by volatilization or separation is avoided.

Abstract: Within a key telephone system, there is provided a circuit for completing a direct signalling path from a first station to another station in the system. By depressing a button at the first station designated with identifying indicia of the other station, a direct speaking connection is made from the first station to the other station. The first station may be an attendant's position with direct key appearance for each station to which the attendant is to have direct access. In a preferred form, the called station has a loudspeaker associated with the station instrument. In this instance, a direct call results in a signalling tone directed to the loudspeaker, following which the attendant can converse with the speaker-equipped station. With an attendant's position, depression of a direct station key automatically places a line to which the attendant had been connected on hold.

Abstract: A material spreader for the uniform distribution to the soil or to vegetation of particulate material such as fertilizers, pesticides or seeds. The material spreader comprises a hopper for particulate material adapted to be advanced along a given direction, the hopper including an outlet for discharging the particulate material downwardly, an impeller in association with the outlet for broadcasting the discharged material in a generally radial path surrounding the axis of discharge, and a shroud surrounding the impeller aligned to intersect the path of the broadcast material and to deflect the material downwardly to a region of controlled configuration. The shroud is curved, preferably elliptically in horizontal cross-section and has a width along the direction of advance of the spreader which is less than the width along a direction transverse to the direction of advance.

Abstract: A crosslinking composition comprising a blend of at least two polyallylic esters of polycarboxylic acids, one of said esters being a diallylic ester of an alkylene, cycloalkylene, mixed alkylene-cycloalkylene or aralkylene dicarboxylic acid, the other of said esters being a polyallylic ester of an aromatic or heteroaromatic polycarboxylic acid or triallyl ester of isocyanuric acid. The crosslinking compositions are particularly useful as crosslinking coreactants for high temperature processing fluorocarbon polymers. The products resulting from the mixing of fluorocarbon polymers and blends of diallyl esters with triallyl or tetraallyl esters are particularly useful as coatings for wire products.

Abstract: A fungicide composition for the control of plant disease comprising (a) a substituted methoxybenzene and (b) a benzimidazolecarbamate or a compound which breaks down upon application to plants to form a benzimidazolecarbamate, the ratio by weight of the methoxybenzene to the benzimidazolecarbamate ranging from 10:1 to 1:5. The compositions are particularly effective for the control of both gray and pink snowmold.

Abstract: A perennial St. Augustine grass having outstanding dark green color, rapid lateral spread, a semi-dwarf growth habit, and a medium level of flowering shoot production. This variety has good gray leafspot resistance throughout the year and is cold tolerant.